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Optical or HDMI
Jus_H
22-02-2015
I'm sure question has been asked so many times and after looking at different sites and what different say, I'm still confused.

So here goes after this I'm deciding.

I've recently brought a Samsung 55" 4k Curved TV along with a Samsung soundbar (wireless).

But on occasions the wireless soundbar can be a little temperamental it was suggested that I go wired with either a optical or HDMI.

Can anyone here, please help me in telling if there is a massive difference between the 2. I got of info I've got is that HDMI can transport for data that the optical but the Optical cable could sound better as it is audio only.

any advice for help would be, and based on that what price bracket should I spend in getting any cable. Curry's have a optical for £12.99 (Belkin) then have another make for £45.00, makes goes for their HDMI.

thank you in advance to all that might be able to help
gomezz
22-02-2015
I think that HDMI can carry higher rate audio than optical but that is only of any use when playing Blu-ray discs and if the sound system can make use of it. Broadcast TV or streaming media services (eg Netflix) will not benefit.
Deacon1972
22-02-2015
Originally Posted by Jus_H:
“I'm sure question has been asked so many times and after looking at different sites and what different say, I'm still confused.

So here goes after this I'm deciding.

I've recently brought a Samsung 55" 4k Curved TV along with a Samsung soundbar (wireless).

But on occasions the wireless soundbar can be a little temperamental it was suggested that I go wired with either a optical or HDMI.

Can anyone here, please help me in telling if there is a massive difference between the 2. I got of info I've got is that HDMI can transport for data that the optical but the Optical cable could sound better as it is audio only.

any advice for help would be, and based on that what price bracket should I spend in getting any cable. Curry's have a optical for £12.99 (Belkin) then have another make for £45.00, makes goes for their HDMI.

thank you in advance to all that might be able to help”

Both transport digital data, but optical has a limit in the amount of data it can transport. If you connect via HDMI you will have all your bases covered - there should be no difference in sound quality with either cable.

Don't go spending silly amounts on the cable, whether you decide to use optical or HDMI £5 will cover the cost easily.
Deacon1972
22-02-2015
Originally Posted by gomezz:
“I think that HDMI can carry higher rate audio than optical but that is only of any use when playing Blu-ray discs and if the sound system can make use of it. Broadcast TV or streaming media services (eg Netflix) will not benefit.”

Netflix delivers DD+ which is only available over HDMI, if using optical it is down mixed to DD5.1, so could be beneficial if the OP has compatible equipment.
gomezz
22-02-2015
Ta for that info. Question is does that me a good enough reason to justify me updating my ancient Denon AV amp which only has optical input?
Deacon1972
22-02-2015
Originally Posted by gomezz:
“Ta for that info. Question is does that me a good enough reason to justify me updating my ancient Denon AV amp which only has optical input? ”

For the bitrates Netflix use I would say not - for HD audio from Bluray most definitely.
chrisjr
22-02-2015
Originally Posted by Jus_H:
“I'm sure question has been asked so many times and after looking at different sites and what different say, I'm still confused.

So here goes after this I'm deciding.

I've recently brought a Samsung 55" 4k Curved TV along with a Samsung soundbar (wireless).

But on occasions the wireless soundbar can be a little temperamental it was suggested that I go wired with either a optical or HDMI.

Can anyone here, please help me in telling if there is a massive difference between the 2. I got of info I've got is that HDMI can transport for data that the optical but the Optical cable could sound better as it is audio only.

any advice for help would be, and based on that what price bracket should I spend in getting any cable. Curry's have a optical for £12.99 (Belkin) then have another make for £45.00, makes goes for their HDMI.

thank you in advance to all that might be able to help”

One very important point.

In order to use HDMI both the TV and the Soundbar have to support HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). If neither or only one does then you will get no sound at all with just an HDMI connection.

Both HDMI and Optical are digital. It makes absolutely no difference to the sound quality which you use if both are carrying identical signals and neither corrupt the data in any way. The only real difference is in the amount of data that can be carried. HDMI has a greater capacity than optical. Though for carrying TV audio I suspect either will do the job.

Oh and as for price. If you spend 45 quid on a cable you are an idiot! If it is decently made there will be no difference at all between a 45p and a 45 quid cable. The only reason Currys want you to buy a 45 quid cable is they make an obscene profit on it. It has absolutely no sonic benefit at all, despite all the bovine excrement that gets spouted in the lunatic fringes of the HiFi community.

The only requirement is that the cable transport the digital data from source to destination without changing it in any way. A properly made cheap cable will do that just as well as some multi thousand pound hyper cable (and yes they do exist) and be completely indistinguishable.

Obviously don't go too cheap and nasty but you can get a perfectly decent cable for around a tenner.
niall campbell
22-02-2015
I would recommend a " shielded " cable.

Also hdmi 1.4 for me !
chrisjr
22-02-2015
Originally Posted by niall campbell:
“I would recommend a " shielded " cable.

Also hdmi 1.4 for me !”

Any decent cable should be properly shielded anyway to prevent interference getting in or out.

No such thing as a HDMI 1.4 cable. The numbers only refer to the kit at each end of the cable, not the bit of wire in-between. There are only five types of cable specified

Standard Speed
High Speed
Standard Speed + Ethernet
High Speed + Ethernet
Automotive

Any High Speed cable is good enough to be used with HDMI 1.4 kit and the new 2.0 spec.
Winston_1
22-02-2015
Originally Posted by Deacon1972:
“
Don't go spending silly amounts on the cable, whether you decide to use optical or HDMI £5 will cover the cost easily.”

Get your HDMI cable in a 99p shop. Just as good as any other.
niall campbell
22-02-2015
plenty cables over the years have been unshielded
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